ODE XXI.
[When Ease and Sleepe, the busye world has husht]
1
When Ease and Sleepe, the busye world has husht;
And Sixe howers cold, the Sun, our Hemisphere
Has left in Darke;
I with the Muses Ioy, and freely there
Expostulate my Fancies, to the Iust
Ayme of their marke.
2
A Thousand obiects flitt within my braine;
Some slip, as Shadowes; some like Columnes stand
To fixe vpon;
Which I survay, and with a serious hand
Delineate; cheiflie to entertaine
My selfe alone.
3
And though my Body hardly well allowes
These frequent watchings, I am soe much wed
To my Delight,
When Ease and Health would move me to my bed;
And (free from gvilt) with vnperplexéd browes,
Might sleepe the night;
4
Yet rather Chuse I, to my Health's impaire,
With gentle Muses, to bestow my Time,
In the weake blaze
Of a Sad Lampe; and free from greater Crime,
Sing to my selfe the Fancies I prepare,
A Thousand waies.
5
And I will Sing great Things; perhaps to please
The Iudging Reader, and to pussle those
Who pretend more.
But Stay! my carefull Leech noe more allowes;
Checks my Disorder; and has stay'd, to dresse
Mee, a long Hower.
6
For, I must now observe Him; but when Time
M'imposthum'd Members shall againe make light;
I will be free,
In midnight Revels to the Appetite
Of my owne Genius, in the purest Rhime
And Poesie.
